2014 Abreu Rothwell Hyde Red

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Rothwell Hyde Proprietary Red has a very classic nose of cassis, black plums and black cherries with hints of unsmoked cigars, pencil shavings, camphor and underbrush with a waft of bay leaves. The full-bodied palate is lively, velvety, generous and packed with fruit, finishing long and spicy.

The 2014 Rothwell Hyde, Abreu's second wine, is wonderfully fresh and perfumed. Silky and racy, with terrific purity to the red cherry and plum flavors, the Rothwell Hyde offers a great window into the house style and also the personality of the year. Best of all, the 2014 will drink well with minimal cellaring. What a gorgeous wine this is. Once again, Brad Grimes poured the Rothwell Hyde at the very end of our tasting. The wine did not suffer at all being placed after all the big guns of 2014, 2015 and 2016, which is probably be the best compliment I can pay.

Starting out and the readiest to go of the 2014s is the 2014 Rothwell Hyde and it's a blend 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc, 15% Petit Verdot and the balance Malbec. While it doesn’t have the depth of the single vineyard releases, it certainly shows the house style and quality level. Cassis, currants, toasted spices, hints of toasty oak, and white chocolate all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, elegant, polished beauty. With ripe tannin, a great texture, beautiful balance, and plenty of length, drink it over the coming 15+ years. David Abreu and superstar winemaker Brad Grimes continue to fashion some of the most powerful, concentrated, yet seamless Bordeaux blends in the Valley. While I couldn’t visit during my trip through the region due to the fire (I tried, but a police barricade got in my way), I was able to taste the 2014s from bottle at my office in Colorado. The estate pulls from four separate vineyards and releases five cuvees; the Rothwell Hyde, Las Posadas, Cappella, Thorevilos, and Madrona Ranch. The Rothwell Hyde can be thought of as the entry-level wine based on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, with small amounts of Petit Verdot and Malbec, all sourced from the four estate vineyards. Readers looking to experience the quality and style of the estate while note breaking the bank should start here. Purchased in 2000, the 15-acre Las Posadas Vineyard on Howell Mountain sits at an elevation around 2,000 feet above sea level, which puts it above the fog line. This wine is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, but like all the wines here, the blend can vary dramatically between vintages. The Cappella Vineyard covers a tiny 6 acres in St. Helena, just west of the town. Of all the cuvees, the Cappella normally incorporates the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. The Thorevilos Vineyard covers 22 acres planted in the white, volcanic ash soils located outside of St. Helena, just above the famous Meadowood Estate. The vines average roughly 25 years in age and this cuvee can include upwards of 30% or more of Cabernet Franc. Lastly, the Madrona Ranch covers 23 acres at the base of Spring Mountain and can be thought of as the home base from this estate. The vineyard is planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc (there are small amounts of Petit Verdot and Merlot), and this wine exemplifies the estate’s style with its mix of power, richness, and elegance. It’s worth noting the blends are never fix for each of the cuvees and change each vintage depending on how everything comes together in each vintage. These are magically wines by Brad Grimes.